The Drama of Lord Jagannatha 2

Adapted from the full-length play by His Holiness Tamal Krsna Goswami

Invocation
(music)
May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya, who dances in front of the cart of
Sri Jagannatha be all glorified! By seeing His dancing, not only was the whole universe held in
wonder, but Lord Jagannatha Himself became very much astonished!
Jagannatha Swami nayana pathagami, bhava tu me
O Lord of the Universe, kindly be visible unto me!
(Music, Nature sound effects)

Narrator: This drama describes the activities of King Indradyuma, a great devotee of Lord Krsna,
and his search for a Deity of the Lord. King Indradyuma ruled India and much of the world during
the Satya Yuga, the first Age, millions of years ago.

Indradyumna: (enters) Ah! This natural setting is conducive for resolving my puzzlement. (sits
down) By the mercy of the Lord, I have conquered in all directions. Wealth without limit and
unrivaled sovereignty have followed me like faithful companions. I have all that anyone could
desire - yet still I remain dissatisfied.

(stands) My ministers, my queen - they wonder what disturbs me. Without realizing the hollowness
of worldly affairs, how will they understand my intense longing or something more? I want to see
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Original Person, the Greatest of All. Yes! With these
naked eyes I want to see Him, face to face! I care no longer about heaven's lordship or earthly
opulence. I care not for my family's or my ministers' scorn. Though others may think me mad, or at
best presumptuous. I make this solemn pledge today: I will dedicate all my thoughts, words, and
deeds toward seeing that Supreme Person Who is the Ultimate Abode and Absolute Truth.

Like the rubbing of the sacred arani sticks, hearing the Supreme Lord's glories has kindled the
flame of my faith until it now burns like a blazing fire, visible to all.
Perhaps in the past few days, I've been somewhat remiss, but I intend to fulfill all my obligations,
rest assured. But that alone will no longer satisfy me. Until I see the Supreme Personality of
Godhead and until I hold in my hands his two lotus feet, my vision will not be soothed, nor my
heart pacified.

Therefore, I've decided to go before the learned assembly and ask if anyone present
can tell me tell me how to see God with these very eyes.
(to the members of the court) My dear reciters, ministers, citizens, I am ever grateful for your
auspicious prayers, but today I have come before you with a prayer of my own.

By the grace of the Supreme Lord, I lack nothing in the way of riches, land, power and honor - yet
today I feel myself a beggar! A pauper!

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Voices offstage: Your majesty, please do not speak in such a way!

Indradyumna: But what I say is true. Today, I regard this vast kingdom and all it encompasses as
a vacant dessert, for I am bereft of Him who alone can fill my heart with joy and serenity.

Voice: But, Malva Province is opulence personified! And its capital, Avantipura, is the rarest jewel.

Indradyumna: My friend, Avanti may be the envy of the world, but of what value are her riches if
they can't be offered to the proper person?  Don't you see? That most worthy person, that soul of
souls, the soul of the Universe, Lord Vishnu, avoids our kingdom! The Supreme Personality of
Godhead  where is He?!

Personally, I am ashamed that, in His absence, I have accepted this life as real. How long shall this
dream last? The winds of time have swept away kingdoms far greater than Malva. I no longer wish
to enjoy dreams. My wife, my citizens, my kingdom - these are all creations of that artful deceiver,
Maya. In my quest for happiness, I believed in the temporary; I confused illusion with reality. Well,
dear gentlemen, no longer can I be deceived. The fleeting designations of king and citizens,
husband and wife are not true identities, for we are not these bodies. We are the pure spirit soul
within. To serve God, not illusion, should be our life's only purpose.

Thus, I have come before you with a question of singular importance: is there anyone among you
who can tell me how or where I may find the Supreme Lord? I must find Him, for I deem rendering
personal service to Him more important than all else.
Yes? (listening to minister and responding) Ah, yes, I concur of course. And with the greatest
reverence, I touch the feet of those exalted sages who say one should meditate to view the Lord
within the core of the heart. But, esteemed gentlemen, I have tried all these methods! Yet, still I am
dissatisfied. Please try to understand: I need to see the Supreme Lord not only in the fire sacrifice,
not only in a vague or fleeting vision, but face to face! I want to embrace His lotus feet and breathe
the fragrance of the sandalwood pulp and Tulasi buds that adorn them. And, I want to render Him
all personal services, offering Him everything in my possession.

Narrator: A pilgrim then appeared and told the King that the Supreme Lord had appeared in His
Deity Form and was being worshipped in the mountains of Niladri as Sri Nila Madhava.

Indradyumna: Pilgrim, who are you, you who in a moment have become as dear to me as a
lifetime friend? You have assured me that my fervent desire will soon be fulfilled. May your words
act irresistibly, enabling me to receive Sri Nila Madhava's mercy.
Yes, we shall go in a grand procession. Coming before the Lord, I shall prostrate myself and beg
that He accept our kingdom as His very own! Then, Avantipura will actually shine - with the
effulgence of the entire spiritual world. Hurry now, let us depart!

Narrator: The Supreme Lord, Nila Madhava, was indeed being worshipped in the mountains of

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Niladri by a great devotee named Visvavasu, who was the king of the Sabaras. The Sabaras are
simple village people who make their living from crafts and the herding of pigs. Vidyapati, King
Indrayumna's chief priest, went before King Indradyumna's party and married the daughter of this
Sabara king just to discover the whereabouts of Nila Madhava. Visvasu did not want anyone to
know of the deity but his daughter eventually had to tell her husband. Visvasu became furious, but
finally agreed to take Vidyapati to see Nila Madhava. But on one condition - Vidyapati would have
to walk blindfolded! Vidyapati, however, brought with him a bag of mustard seeds and thus he
dropped them in the path where they later grew into plants, blazing a path to the Lord. Let us now
join the king as he journeys to the mountains of Niladri.

Indradyumna: (with whip on platform) Onward horses, onward! Run swift as the wind, piercing
the forest with your thundering hooves, spurred on by my whip, which crackles like lightning above
your heads!  Ah, we have come to a clearing  The thick canopy of leaves gives way to the open
sky  Hey! (pulling back on the reins) Whoa! Whoa! The path ends at this sheer cliff, arresting
our further progress  and behold! Behold! There to the East, shimmering in the distant sea of
morning mist - a wondrous mountain towers upon the horizon! See how the sun rising from behind,
seems to beg permission before heralding the day! At last!! We have reached the cherished goal of
our month-long journey!

Oh ho! Here I see a mustard plant! Wonderful!  Here is one  and here! O delicate plant, though
I am Emperor of the World, today I have become your servant! (Pauses, looks up. Storm sound
effects) Why this sudden change of time and season? Who dares cause this sacred mountain to fear?
Let him boldly declare himself my enemy and do battle, like a man!

This fragile trail of mustard plants will soon be hidden So powerful is this wind that I can hardly
face it. Uprooted trees lie on every side! Harsh rain pelts down like showers of arrows. Oh, where is
the trail!? Ah, here it is! No, there! And there! And there! We approach now a place of special
sanctity - this banyen tree spreads its mighty branches as if to defend this place against the storm 
Ah! But wait There are the doors of the Deity's house! (He runs to the doors and struggles to open
them) Here! Here! I have waited so long for this moment! (opens doors) What's this! Gone!
Surely, the Deity was here but he has been spirited away as if to thwart me! Ahhh(fainting) my
Lord, Nila Madhava!
(music, nature sounds, lights fade, then increase)

Narrator: (calls)Indradyumna! Indradyumna! (pause) Quiet, he awakens!

Indradyumna: (sits up) I seem to have fallen asleep. What a terrible dream I had (stands up)  I
was ascending Mt. Niladri when a great storm suddenly blew up  but  how can this be? (feels
clothes) My clothes are indeed wet  What has happened? Where am I? (looks about) The lake!
And the temple! No, no, it cannot be! I only dreamt that I found Nila Madhava gone, didn't I? But
then  there is the temple, standing empty  O my Lord, was I dreaming? And am I dreaming
still? Why don't You reply? Here I am, ready to serve You. Here I am! Nila Madhava, I have come!
Your servant, Indradyumna is here! (he exits)

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Narrator: The king then had the entire village seized and searched and Visvasu was taken prisoner.
Yet, they could not find the Deity. Visvasu, himself, could not understand why the Lord Nila
Madhava had left. Then, to everyone's wonder, the great sage Narada Muni appeared and explained
the mystery. He told them that the Lord had actually left for reasons of His own and that He would
no longer be visible in His Nila Madhava form. He further explained that the Lord would appear in
an extraordinary form carved from a wooden log. This form, Sri Jagannatha Swami, the Lord of the
Universe, will come out from the temple annually so that all could have his darshan equally as the
Lord rides on His chariot to the sea.

Indradyumna: Yes, I understand. A temple worthy of His glory must be constructed. Rulers
throughout the land must be informed that they should offer their wealth and their best sculptors for
this purpose. How glorious will be the day when we will see the Lord riding on His chariot to His
magnificent temple!  Now, from this moment on, let direct all our efforts toward fulfilling this
goal. (He leaves)

Narrator: After some years, having built a magnificent temple, King Indradyumna ascended to the
abode of Lord Brahma, where he personally requested him to come to earth to establish the Deity in
His temple Ah, yes! Here is the king descending in a flower airplane!
(music)

Indradyumna: As I near the Earth, a hosts of thought comes forward to embrace my mind 
Vidyapati will be overjoyed to hear of the Lord's manifestation - the transcendental wooden log,
originally a kalpa-vrksa desire tree, swept down from the Milk Ocean that surrounds the abode of
Lord Visnu, Svetadvip!  And, broken-hearted Visvasu shall finally be consoled when he realizes
that Nila Madhava's departure was a deception of love to favor His devotee with even greater
mercy! My devoted commander, Yudhavira, as well as my queen, must be waiting, ever faithful!
Soon, I shall be with you all, for there is the temple's summit, with its sharp Cakra puncturing the
clouds in joyous victory!

(steps off flower airplane) Everything appears in the same good condition as it was in when I left
with Sri Narada Muni  I know each stone as if it were my own dear child 

Now I enter the great hall, vast in breadth, majestic in height, supported by massive, towering
pillars, each hewn from a single granite rock. It gladdens my heart to see the devotion of my family
and priests. Even in my absence, they have kept the ghee lamps burning brightly, anticipating the
Lord's descent. The entire temple is immaculate, like a chaste, young wife faithfully awaiting her
husband's arrival.

(Gongs, music) Ah! The sounds of a ceremonial procession coming this way! Perhaps my friend,
Vidyapati, knows of my arrival! (calls) VidyapatI! Vidyapati! (he exits)

Narrator: But, the king only met strangers in his own temple. He appeared to be in another time

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even  Let us listen, now 

Indradyumna: What has happened here? With full confidence, I left the kingdom safe in the hands
of Vidyapati. But now, upon returning, I find no reception! Rather, it seems that I am a foreigner in
my own home! Could it be that during my stay in the heavenly planets, time has passed without my
noticing? Otherwise, how could this temple come under the control of persons that I do not know?
 Having received Lord Brahma's blessings, I was certain of success, but the present circumstances
plunge me into doubt!

Yet, I welcome the new challenge. I see the Lord coming! Indeed, I feel His presence at every
moment, as if He is standing at my side! Surely, through His mercy I shall learn the whereabouts of
my dearmost friends!

Narrator: Suddenly, there entered an aged crow. He has sat upon a sacred tree and observed all for
many millions of years. The crow's name was Bhusandhi and it explained to the king that many
generations of the king's family had passed during the king's visit to the heavenly planets. Thus, all
the king's friends and family members had long since been forgotten.

Indradyumna: No! Spare me the rest, O Bhusandhi, for pain has filled my heart to overflowing!
How shall I endure any more? Only yesterday, we were together and their memory is yet freshly
painted upon the canvas of my mind! Where shall I ever find such friends again!? The elixir of joy
to my eyes and a delight to my heart! Though I have gone to Heaven, a step away from Vaikuntha,
and though Brahma has blessed my endeavor, assuring me that the Lord will surely come - without
these dear friends, what welcome can I give these events? And, with whom shall I share the Lord's
darshan? What is there left in this world worth sting for? I wanted the benediction of being
absorbed in worshipping the Lord -now, by His will, that desire has been fulfilled. Yet, the Lord's
appearance has this special feature: none shall be barred from offering Him their service. He comes
to deliver the most fallen, therefore I claim the right of first worship! In expectation of the Lord's
appearance, I should be dressing myself in garments of rejoicing! Yet, instead, I bear cruel Fate's
heavy cloak. My eyes are blind, burning pools of tears. My body twists now in agonizing separation
from those I loved. Oh . No more  perhaps the cool night air will relieve my feverish condition
(He exits)

Narrator: In time, seeing the king fasting to death in his confusion, the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and reassured him that the time for His advent was near. The Lord directed the king to the
city of Bankimuhan, where He would arrive in the form of a great log, floating on the ocean.
(The King pantomimes that he has come to the sea with great excitement. Sea sound effects
and crowd sounds)

Indradyumna: Listen! The drums beating and the din of the crowd surpass the ocean's might roar!
Just see that great Log is as immovable as the mighty Himalayas! Even the temple elephants cannot
bring it ashore! (addressing crowd) Everyone, please, you did your best! Even Indra, himself, with
all the legions at his command, would have failed to move Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the

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Universe! But, I am not disappointed, for the Lord has His own will. It is no disgrace to be humbled
by the Lord. You are not dealing with an ordinary log. This tree, like a hair of the Lord's
transcendental body, is as absolute and all-powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself! Just to show His
mercy, he appears as the Deity through a variety of mediums: earth, stone, jewels, metal, paint,
even within the mind! May that Supreme Lord please manifest before us!
(roar of "Hari Bol! Hari Bol!" is heard.)
Listen! What has happened!?

Voices: Maharaj! Maharaj Indradyumna! Jagannatha has moved!

Indradyumna: He has heard my prayers! Please, tell me all!

Narrator: A tall, burly brahman, after offering his obeisances to the great log, proceeded to lift the
log and carry it to the temple. His name is Virabhadra, king of the Sabaras. The king was struck
with wonder.

Indradyumna: He so reminds me of another Sabara king, Visvavasu! Listen, we must take the lord
to Gundica and have Him carved. We shall place Him upon a golden chariot and proceed in great
jubilation! At last, I've reached the final threshold, now nothing can keep me from serving the Lord
personally!

Narrator: The brahman who came forth to carve the Lord promised to finish in twenty-one days
on the condition that he not be interrupted under any circumstance, Seven days remain but the King
is racked with impatience 

Indradyumna: (paces back and forth as he talks) It's not as if I have lost all control. I feel great
joy to behold the many auspicious signs of the Lord's presence. Though we cannot see the work
progressing, we could hear the sound of the old craftsman's chisel and also the celestial music
always in the air!
Suddenly, there was silence. No music, no workman's chisel  For three days, I have remained
patient (irritated) How much longer must I keep my composure when minute by minute my
doubts erode it!? (forcefully) Blast this timid resignation! It may suit you, but I cannot profess
serenity when Lord Jagannath's welfare is in doubt! I fear that we have come under some evil spell.
Once before I hesitated and I will forever regret it. I cannot bear this waiting any longer! My
hankering to see Lord Jagannath has broken the chains of constraint; no argument can dissuade me!
(appeals to person nearby) You understand my feelings, don't you? (pauses as if listening to
reply) I propose to break open the doors of the Gundica temple. Tell me, what is your opinion?
(listening to reply) Then we will go there immediately! (He strides about the stage quickly as if
traveling. Then, arrives at Gundica.) Gundica! (pantomimes that he is throwing open the
doors) 

Jaya! All Glories to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, Srimate Subadra!! How wonderful! How very
wonderful! I feel like a blind man seeing for the first time  I could never have imagined the Lord

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like this  the carving is not yet completed  there is no question of painting the Deities until the
carving is complete! Where is that brahman, he who calls Himself Ananta Maharana? (listens)
What!? But, He must return! Look, look! There are no feet or hands! (shocked and full of doubt)
What has happened! Where is Ananta Maharana?  Oh, what shall I do? Let the world be rid of my
sight! (He collapses in lamentation.)

Narrator: The Lord spoke to King Indradyumna, assuring him that all that he had experienced was
just according to the Lord's plan. Thus, King Indradyumna became supremely happy. He
commissioned artists to paint the unfinished forms and had Them installed in the temple as Lord
Jagannath, Krsna, the Lord of the Universe and His brother, Balarama and sister, Subhadra.

Indradyumna: (joyfully revealing Their Lordships to all) My friends, dismiss all your doubts
and rejoice once and for all for here stands the object of each of your lives' long search. (prays) O
Lord, here we are, Your eternal devotees, together at last! O Sri Jagannatha, beholding Your
shining moon-face with lotus-like eyes, Your dazzling streaks of tilak and Your effulgent body, I
think that were I granted a life as long as Brahma's, I still could not drink in the full beauty of Your
vision!! May those who take prasadam, the remnants of the Lord, those who hear his glories or
behold His chariot - be they pious or most sinful, let it matter not at all - may they receive the
benediction of this all-compassionate Lord!! Now, without further delay, let us perform His
installation. Thank you, my Lord.
(Kirtan or bhajan)